China Macroeconomics & Academia

Christopher Balding

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

As the debate about the sustainability about the increase in Chinese credit has grown, a number of points have been raised about why China simply cannot have some type of financial crisis or even needs more debt.  Though I believe a near term financial crisis is an extremely low but rising probability event, it is clear that the optimism about Chinese debt levels or growth ranges from misguided to uninformed.  Let us elucidate some of these.Myth #1: China has high savings rates.  This is…

As the debate about the sustainability about the increase in Chinese credit has grown, a number of points have been raised about why China simply cannot have some type of financial crisis or even needs more debt.  Though I believe a near term financial crisis is an extremely low but rising probability event, it is clear that the optimism about Chinese debt levels or growth ranges from misguided to uninformed.  Let us elucidate some of these.Myth #1: China has high savings rates.  This is…

Macroeconomics

As PBOC FX reserves have stabilized, due primarily to revaluation of EUR and JPY holdings, the story has started to circulate that capital outflows from China have declined.  There is little understanding for the channels via which this is happening.  The primary channel for capital outflows from China was overpayment of goods imports and not official portfolio or direct investment.Since March 1, the noted discrepancy between bank payment for imports and the Customs reported value of imports has…

As PBOC FX reserves have stabilized, due primarily to revaluation of EUR and JPY holdings, the story has started to circulate that capital outflows from China have declined.  There is little understanding for the channels via which this is happening.  The primary channel for capital outflows from China was overpayment of goods imports and not official portfolio or direct investment.Since March 1, the noted discrepancy between bank payment for imports and the Customs reported value of imports has…

Research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

Research and consultancy

Tabbush Report

We provide research and consultancy on Asian banks. Our focus is on what we call “Asian bank research, without the noise.” We are interested in the most critical swing-factors for banks, the NPL and credit cycle, and where we believe there is a gap between perception and reality. We often focus on the less studied components of bank financial statements.  Our research is highly thematic, sometimes examining unlisted banks and companies as a window on mainstream banks. 

Being independent allows us to look at smaller banks, often overlooked by others. Analysis of BIS bank guidelines in the context of Asia, is also a focal point, while we also analyze global banks operating in the region. We use what we believe is the most comprehensive, reliable financials database, SNL Financial. S&P Capital IQ augments our database, with corporate data and CEIC, with economics. 

Asian bank research, without the noise.

For the most part we focus on loans and other assets in terms of risk. But contingent liabilities should not be forgotten. These can prove to be a surprising source of bad loans, as in the initial stages these facilities are not even on the balance sheet. They are classified as contingent liabilities, and they are contained off-balance sheet. These include credit commitments, letters of credit, loan guarantees and acceptances. Companies pay a fee for these facilities, and there is generally no…

For the most part we focus on loans and other assets in terms of risk. But contingent liabilities should not be forgotten. These can prove to be a surprising source of bad loans, as in the initial stages these facilities are not even on the balance sheet. They are classified as contingent liabilities, and they are contained off-balance sheet. These include credit commitments, letters of credit, loan guarantees and acceptances. Companies pay a fee for these facilities, and there is generally no…

The upcoming foreign exchange reserve and trade balance release give us a good opportunity to examine the post-Chinese New Year capital and goods flows in light of the strengthening RMB.  While the trade surplus, FX reserves, and outflows should be closely linked given the unique factors of Chinese data, we need to explore them carefully.Let us begin with trade data.  Chinese data shows strong seasonality with March and April being the months with the largest level of month over month changes…

The upcoming foreign exchange reserve and trade balance release give us a good opportunity to examine the post-Chinese New Year capital and goods flows in light of the strengthening RMB.  While the trade surplus, FX reserves, and outflows should be closely linked given the unique factors of Chinese data, we need to explore them carefully.Let us begin with trade data.  Chinese data shows strong seasonality with March and April being the months with the largest level of month over month changes…

While we tend to focus on impaired loans, a look at credit-risk assets can be revealing.This is especially the case with respect to the rate of change and compared with underlying assets. For instance, if a bank is reporting a sharp rise in its credit risk assets but only a slight rise in loans, this can suggest worsening credit metrics.In practice, this would likely mean deterioration in the probability of default (PD) or loss given default (LGD) of its loans.HSBC’s data is telling, where for…

While we tend to focus on impaired loans, a look at credit-risk assets can be revealing.This is especially the case with respect to the rate of change and compared with underlying assets. For instance, if a bank is reporting a sharp rise in its credit risk assets but only a slight rise in loans, this can suggest worsening credit metrics.In practice, this would likely mean deterioration in the probability of default (PD) or loss given default (LGD) of its loans.HSBC’s data is telling, where for…

A Look at Credit Risk Assets Can Be Revealing

China

China International Capital Corporation Ltd. (CICC) operates as an international investment bank. The Company provides financial services, including investment banking, capital markets, securities sales and trading, fixed income, asset management, and private equity. China International Capital also offers individual wealth management and research services.

China International Capital Corporation (3908 HK)

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China International Capital Corporation (3908 HK)

Why China Debt Bulls Are Mostly Wrong

As the debate about the sustainability about the increase in Chinese credit has grown, a number of points have been raised about why China simply...

Christopher Balding

Changing Composition of RMB Outflows

As PBOC FX reserves have stabilized, due primarily to revaluation of EUR and JPY holdings, the story has started to circulate that capital outflows...

Christopher Balding

China: Contingent Liabilities

For the most part we focus on loans and other assets in terms of risk. But contingent liabilities should not be forgotten. These can prove to be a...

Daniel Tabbush

Trade and FX Reserve Pre-Release Note

The upcoming foreign exchange reserve and trade balance release give us a good opportunity to examine the post-Chinese New Year capital and goods...

Christopher Balding

A Look at Credit Risk Assets Can Be Revealing

While we tend to focus on impaired loans, a look at credit-risk assets can be revealing.This is especially the case with respect to the rate of...

Daniel Tabbush

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)